Napkin dispenser



FRED n4 THORP INV TOR.

BY -u FM; 5 ATTORNEYS.

Patented ()ct. 18,1927.

UNITED stares iorrics.

' FRED W. 'lI-IQRP, or GREEN BAY, Wisconsin, Assiqvon rofnonrnnnncount ess ING COMPANY, or GREEN BAY,"Wiscons n,aconronnrroiv onfwis NAPKIN DISPENSER.

Application'filed'march 23,.11926. Serial No. 96,709.

The invention relates to a napkinholder, and more particularly to the class of paper napkin dispensers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein folded paper napkins can be stacked. or massed insuperimposed relation to each other, so that the same may be extracted successively in single order, the napkins being held in orderly fashion, and are prevented from becoming disarranged when within the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character,

wvherein the paper napkins when in folded condition can be readily and easily inserted within the same, so as to be conveniently held thereby, to enable the dispensing of saich napkins singly, when they are required for use. I

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein the construction thereof is of novel form to accommodate the folded paper napkins in stacked or massed relation to each other, and freely accessible for use, "the clamps for said napkins being also of novel type, and are readily and easily removed and replaced when it is required to fill. the body of the device.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character,v

which is extremely simple in construction, neat and attractive in appearance, strong, durable, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the dispenser constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2, is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3, is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 4, is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

F igure 5, is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure lookin in the direction of the arrows. 7 L1 Similar reference characters indicate cor responding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, folded napkin dispenser comprises a base orstand 10, having a broad base, preferably of res tangular shape and upwardly tapered. Car ried upon this base or stand 10, is the body or container 11, which is made fast thereto in any desired manner or integrally formed therewith. The body or container 11, is formed with straight side walls 12, end walls 13,.and aflat bottom 14. The side walls 12, are ornamentally cut awayto provide fipger gaps 15, so that the fingers of thehand O gaps 15, to contact and engage with the paper napkins 16, which are stacked or massed within the body or container 11, in superimposed relation toeach other.

Upon the uppermost paper napkins 16, of the stack or mass within the body or container 11, and at each end of the same play clamps or retainers 17 each being of the required weight to exert the required pressure on thestack or mass of napkins to hold the same compact within the body or container 11. Theclamps or retainers 17, are preferably'of plate formation and of the shape shown in Figure 1, of the drawing.

Each clamp or retainer 17, is formed with a central relatively narrow downturned arm 18, at its outer edge, which terminates in a person can be passed through these an outturned finger grip 19, the same being i in the form of a substantially half circular ear, spaced slightly from the arm 18, the portion 20, therebetween forming a guide or runner, which is slidably fitted in a vertical guide slot 21, provided centrally in each clearly apparent.

Super to the grip or car 19, on each clamp or retainer 17, is a supplemental grip or ear 23, which is of like form with respect to said grip or ear 19, and its center guide or runner 24, is made fast to the under side of the clamp o retainer 17, and works in the slot 21, as is shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, of the drawing, to maintain the clamp or retainer inhorizontal posit-ion when engaged with the body or container 11, of the device.

The end walls 13, of the body or container 11, are fluted as at 25, contiguous to and parallel with the slots 21, on opposite sides thereof, to hold the clamps or retainers relativel Y firm and a ainst swin in movement although permitting them to freely slide in the body or container when connected therewith. This body or container 11, is what might be termed a tray for the folded paper napkins 16, when within the same, and the device is adapted to be placed upon a table or other service furniture for convenience in dispensing the napkins therefrom.

What is claimed is:

A dispenser 01 the character desciubed comprising a body having side and end walls, the side walls being formed witn cut away portion, clamp members within and ar ranged at opposite end walls of the body, the end walls of the body being form d with central vertically disposed slots having cross slits at their upper ends, a downturned arm formed on each clamp, a grip outturned from each arm and removably insertable through the slit for slidably engaging the arm in the slot, and supplemental grips on the clamps above the first-named grips, and insertable through the slits for engagement with the slots. I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRED W. THORP. 

